Dana's 7 Grant Hacks That Work
Dana Todd Pope, Founder of Fearlessly Hue, is a groundbreaking Chicago entrepreneur and artist. This Sunshine Enterprises’s alumna has won over $68,900 in grants and awards in the last year and a half. Dana was selected to participate in the Amazon Black Business Accelerator. The Amazon Black Business Accelerator has 15,000 businesses; 3000 of those businesses applied to the BBA Connect and only 100 were accepted. Dana’s business, Fearlessly Hue, was chosen as one of those one hundred worldwide businesses to participate in the exclusive BBA Connect group. BBA Connect is a 12 month program where she receives mentorship, education, and guidance on how to thrive as an entrepreneur. Dana has compiled her knowledge and brings you 7 specific hacks to help you maximize your potential for receiving grants.
Dana's Grant Hacks
By: Dana Todd Pope
In total I won $68,900 in nine grants and two pitch competitions in the last year and a half. Four of the grants were national. I applied to maybe 15-20 grants. This is what I learned...
1. Legalize your business!
As my mom always says, "Take away their excuses." Not having a legal business hinders your progress and is more expensive than the fees in the long run. I am speaking from experience. Register your business with the state. Get an EIN. Get a D.U.N.S number. Register for sales tax collection and a reseller license. Get W/MBE certified. Get a city business license, etc...
2. Save your answers!
99% of these grants ask the SAME questions. Keep all of your answers in an Application Answers doc. "Copy" and "Paste" will be your best friends. You can always revise/update the answers but, you save so much time by not having to start from scratch every time. Your answers will also be more cohesive.
3. Read the fine print!
Do they want equity? Are there limits to how the funds can be used? Do you have to give up too much time to a mentorship class? Is this grant bootleg and do you want to give them your personal information? Know what they expect and know if you have the capacity to give it. Every grant isn't for you and that's okay.
4. Keep copies of all of your business docs and ID in a file together.
Time is your greatest commodity. Make it easy to find the docs you need, quickly. I also keep copies on my phone. With predictive text and saved answers, I can fill out a long grant in 20 minutes or less.
5. Watch pitch competitions regularly.
Watch Shark Tank and other pitches. Read business articles. Know the latest buzz words and weave them into your answers. It makes it seem like you're on top of trends in business and amenable to learning.
6. Network with the community giving out the grants, if possible.
You have a higher chance of success if people know you. It's human nature...
7.) What's for you is for you!
You're gonna hear No more than Yes. It is the nature of the beast. Do not be discouraged. Keep going. Refine that pitch. This process is iterative. You will eventually hit your stride.
Also, don't be afraid to share info. I promise, no one can block your blessings but you. Sharing has a boomerang effect.
Author: Dana Todd Pope
Read about her story in our Annual Report (on page 10)
Fearlessly Hue - Dana’s artwork, home interior decor, prints, and t-shirts.